Manchester United No2 Mike Phelan senses fresh energy in the squad after the manner of their title defeat last season.

Manchester United No2 Mike Phelan senses fresh energy in the squad after the manner of their title defeat last season.

Whilst the Reds will have returned for three more games in Europe before their Euro 2012 contingent, plus Nemanja Vidic and Chris Smalling, are welcomed into the fold, Phelan can already sense a renewed determination to bounce back.

“Definitely,” he told the Manchester Evening News.

“This football club creates that anyway. You know you have to achieve.

“The benefit for me is the fact that I played and coached here and have now started on the management side.

“You know what it takes to stay there and how you need to stay there.

“I wouldn’t say it was pressure but you want to succeed because you know it means so much to everybody, not just yourself but people all around the world.”

Former Manchester United youth guru Eric Harrison says the club needs to find a set position for Phil Jones.Jones played in a variety of roles last season – all successfully.

Former Manchester United youth guru Eric Harrison says the club needs to find a set position for Phil Jones.

Jones played in a variety of roles last season – all successfully.

“It is very difficult when you have the adaptability to play in a number of positions,” Harrison told the Manchester Evening News.

“I think if you want to have a long, established career at a club like United at the very top level and also have a long international career, it is vital you cement one particular position.

“I think it can hinder you if you don’t get that. I think Phil Neville, for instance, was hindered by it. I was Phil’s youth team manager and I always played him at right-back and he was superb there for me. But his way at first-team level was blocked by his brother Gary. Phil was versatile and so had to move around and he did a very good job.

“However, I believe if he’d tied down one role then he would still be a Manchester United player now. I am 100 per cent convinced he’d still be at the club now had he been able to do that.

“When you establish yourself in one position, you build up relationships with other players around you. Like, for instance, the way Gary Neville did with David Beckham down the right wing. You fill in for the other player if he goes forward. You know what each other is going to do. It’s the same if you are at centre-half or in the centre of midfield.

“But if you are only dipping in and out of those roles for short periods of time it is so much harder.

“When you get a chance to play for United, you obviously take it no matter where you are played. It is what you dream about, playing for United, so you don’t complain. All the versatile players are really good lads who’ll stick their hand up for a job. The manager doesn’t mess them about. He has to do things for a reason and that reason is to help United. These kind of players wouldn’t go banging on his office door to demand a certain position either because they respect him too much.

“But, in the long term, it can have an effect and Phil Jones faces that danger. But I have a feeling he is going to end up in one role. I’m sure it will happen.”

Chelsea boss Roberto di Matteo says Romelu Lukaku is giving him food for thought on their US tour.Lukaku struck twice in victory over the Seattle Sounders this week.

Chelsea boss Roberto di Matteo says Romelu Lukaku is giving him food for thought on their US tour.

Lukaku struck twice in victory over the Seattle Sounders this week.

“It’s interesting to see him playing with the team,” Di Matteo said. “We’ve had a talk at the start of pre-season and I’m very keen to see him perform for us, then we will see what’s going to happen. He is a danger and scores goals. That’s what a striker has to do in the team.

“We still have Fernando and Sturridge to come back but we have options and we can’t forget he is a young boy but I have been pleased and he is an interesting player for us.”

Marko Marin was delighted to score on his Chelsea debut in victory over Seattle Sounders.Marin impressed in the comfortable victory.

Marko Marin was delighted to score on his Chelsea debut in victory over Seattle Sounders.

Marin impressed in the comfortable victory.

“I felt good today and I think it was okay for my first match,” the midfielder told chelseafc.com.

“Of course it was a nice feeling to score in the first game and to have an assist too, and I am happy with my performance. And playing here was not like in Europe. It was another atmosphere when we came out with the firework explosions, and it was a really nice feeling to play in this stadium.”